The Abbeville messenger. (Abbeville, S.C.) 1884-1887, 1887-02-01
Religion IN War Times.

request, Scfohued DE all o! the gentle
men present. that Mr.. Tcmplcton. Of
Knoxville. who WAS present, relate an
incident which occurred during the war
1T a revival service held hv his father in
North Georgia Mr.. icnpleton kindly
consented, and related the following in
4 most effective and touching manner.
eliciting the most generous applause ut
his conclusions:
MY father" said Mr.. Tcmpleton, "rc-
sided in Chattanooga, but about the time
that Sherman made his way into the
South he rcfugccd in Georgia, and
stopped in Gordon. He was n preacher
and wherever he went he always preach
cd whenever m opportunity afforded
About the time that Sherman was
driving Johnson toward Atlanta, some
time in the carly part Of August, 1864,
my father was conducting a revival at n
little house called Pine Log Creek
church, about ten miles from Calhoun.
then: murder, robbery and rapine were
of daily occurrence, and the whole
country was subj .ct to visitations by
maraudiny parties from both armies.
Onc'day the old gentleman was preach
ing II sermon of unusual power, and be-
fore he had gotten we'll under way
gang Of Confederate soldiers rode up,
and dismountng out back of the church,
asked if they might he admitted to the
church. or course they were cordially
invited in, and took prominent seats in
the church.
Not long afterward cloud Of dust
was seen in the road from The opposite
direction to what the rebels had come,
and pretty soon the tramp OF horses
hoofs was heard, and it Was soon dis
covered that it was u squad Of Federal
troops, and before the Confcdcratcs in
the church could be appriSed OF the ap
proach they had ridden up to the door.
Pcrcciving that religious services were
being held. they aliShted and asked to
be admitted. They were then told that
there we're Confederate soldiers in the
church. but insisted on going in, and
they were admitted likewise.
NATURALLY the strange spectacle Gre
ated some CONSERVATION in the congre-
cation, and for u time it seemed as if
the confusion would break up the meet
ing. But my father raised his vuice
and began most fervently to plead u
better life, beseeching his soldier hear
ers to become religious and abandon their
sins. He preached with unusual force
and power, the strange scene lending
him inspiration. Strong men were stirred
to the depths and wept like children.
and the scene Of confusion was soon
changed to one Of strong religious
awakening.
"When he had concluded his sermon,
as was the custom in those days he in
vited those who were convicted to come
forward to the mourncr's bench and
pray and talk with him on the all
important subject.
Then it was that one Of the grandest
sights ever witnessed occurred. Those
saldierS, enemies to each other, engaged
in bloody war, arose as one man, friend
and foe together, and marched to the
front Of the church and kneeled together,
Confederate by Federal, their muskets
joining and crossing each other, their re-
volvers touching each other as they
kneeled, their heads bowed upon the
same alter and their tears mingled almost
In their deep contrition and profound
feeling. All animosities were forgotten,
all strife forgotten-they were together
as brothers around common altar.
''After the services they met on the
outside Of the church they shook hunds
pledged fraternity, and each party went
off, taking opposite directions. They
had been looking for each other perhaps
with murderous intent. They found
each other. but they separated with love
instead Of hate, friendly instead oi
angry"
4 The recital of the story was listened
to with marked attention and interest,
every one being deeply inspired with the
beautiful incident, which is true in every
detail.
In Case of Fire.